The Black Sheep is two weeks away from opening the doors of what will soon be a West Side dining institution. Chef partners Steve and Ellen Gedra have purchased the old Golden Key Tavern on Connecticut Street – a property that now includes four lots and two buildings. The first building (the old tavern) boasts a large kitchen outfitted with all of the essential tools to create the same adventurous dishes that once brought people clamoring to the couple’s first joint venture – Europa. “It’s going to be an extension of Europa’s menu, only dialed up,” said Steve. “We outgrew the Europa space and then looked around this city at 20 different places until we landed on this location. What we didn’t realize was the deplorable condition of the building. We had to knock down a part of it in the back [pointing]. There were foundation issues. The floors were rotted out. In the end, we’ve built this place back up, adding our own touches along the way. We’re going all the way… we’re investing big time into the West Side.” When The Black Sheep opens, people are going to get a real taste of what Steve and Ellen’s newfound vision for Buffalo is. By maintaining the original virtues of Europa, and adding different techniques thanks to a larger space and an increase in number of employees (from 9 to 22), the owners plan to “drive quality” even harder than they did before. “We’re partners in life, and in the restaurant business,” Steve added. “This move will allow us to grow in a way that we never could have before. Eventually we would like to open a retail shop in the building next door, selling bread, cheese, produce, charcuterie, etc. We bought a City-owned park next to that building, which means that we own four parcels in a row (two buildings). We’re never leaving. We can grow where we are and add to the business.” The Black Sheep (named derived from Steve’s penchant to do things a little different) will be open for dinner to start (Mon-Sat), and will also offer a Sunday-Monday brunch (Monday for the industry). Eventually they would like to add lunch to the repertoire. Ethan Cox (Community Beer Works – CBW) is designing the beer list. The back courtyard resembles more of a beer garden than it does a patio. The space is so big that Steve has not even figured out exactly what to do with it all. “Maybe some lawn bowling or badminton,” Steve laughed. “It’s going to be a real experience. Customers will walk through the courtyard that runs between the buildings (where a couple of bistro tables will also be placed), and then will walk out onto the expansive patio. Inside we’ve built a bar made of reclaimed wood from the roof of the building next door (built by Sean Wrafter of WrafterBuilt). We’ll have room for 63 diners inside and twenty outside. Quite a change from the limitations of Europa.” Between The Black Sheep’s “Beer Buffalo” philosophy (thanks to CBW), the locally and humanely raised beef and poultry, and Steve’s prowess at breaking it down and preparing it, along with Ellen’s heavenly pastries, there’s a new wave of culinary creations coming to Connecticut Street that will be a real show stopper. It won’t be long before the feasting begins. The Black Sheep | 367 Connecticut Street | Buffalo NY | 716-884-1100 | Facebook
queenseyes
Newell Nussbaumer is 'queenseyes' - Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world's largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure... FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com